LAPD officers pleads not guilty to beating man with baton in 2012

LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles police officer has pleaded not guilty to beating a man with his baton while taking him into custody outside a restaurant near Staples Center.

A district attorney’s statement says 30-year-old Jonathan Lai entered the plea Wednesday to one count of assault by a police officer and one of assault with a deadly weapon.

Prosecutors say Lai and his partner were on patrol in April 2012 when they approached the man who was standing alone outside the restaurant. The restaurant’s security video shows Lai repeatedly using his baton to hit the man while the man was on his knees and holding his hands on his head.

Lai’s bail was set at $35,000. He’s scheduled to return to court in August. If convicted he could get four years in prison.